Cost of Living in Sao Tome - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $852 (excluding rent), and $1,072 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,101 (excluding rent), and $2,590 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.31 STN 428

$11.6 STN 245

$29.01 STN 612

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$45.65 STN 963

$28.53 STN 602

$57.1 STN 1,204

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.76 STN 206

$8.03 STN 169

$11.47 STN 242

Cappuccino

$1.73 STN 36.45

$1.15 STN 24.3

$2.29 STN 48.39

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.87 STN 39.55

$1.63 STN 34.35

$2.28 STN 48.09

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.19 STN 25.2

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.63 STN 34.38

$0.57 STN 12.08

$1.83 STN 38.54

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.88 STN 39.71

$1.4 STN 29.51

$2.09 STN 44.17

Milk (1 liter)

$1.38 STN 29.03

$0.95 STN 20

$1.77 STN 37.42

White Bread (500g)

$1.04 STN 21.96

$0.65 STN 13.78

$1.53 STN 32.3

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.36 STN 49.83

$1.78 STN 37.53

$2.95 STN 62.3

Eggs

$4.99 STN 105

$2.75 STN 57.9

$5.25 STN 111

Local Cheese (1kg)

$20.38 STN 430

$17.47 STN 369

$23.3 STN 492

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$20.59 STN 434

$17.65 STN 372

$23.54 STN 497

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$24.7 STN 521

$22.8 STN 481

$28.49 STN 601

Apples (1kg)

$4.76 STN 101

$3.57 STN 75.3

$5.96 STN 126

Banana (1kg)

$1.19 STN 25.03

Oranges (1kg)

$3.96 STN 83.6

$3.39 STN 71.6

$4.53 STN 95.6

Tomato (1kg)

$3.38 STN 71.3

$2.82 STN 59.4

$3.95 STN 83.3

Potato (1kg)

$2.62 STN 55.3

$2.33 STN 49.15

$2.91 STN 61.5

Onion (1kg)

$1.98 STN 41.77

$1.13 STN 23.87

$2.82 STN 59.5

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.7 STN 14.78

$0.59 STN 12.43

$0.82 STN 17.35

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.95 STN 41.07

$0.35 STN 7.45

$3.5 STN 73.9

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.28 STN 48.13

Wine (Bottle)

$6.87 STN 145

$4.59 STN 96.8

$9.17 STN 194

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.27 STN 26.86

$1.14 STN 23.97

$1.42 STN 29.96

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.28 STN 27.05

$0.91 STN 19.2

$1.59 STN 33.45

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.22 STN 25.79

$1.05 STN 22.05

$1.39 STN 29.33

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.88 STN 293

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.7 STN 35.78

$1.41 STN 29.78

$1.92 STN 40.49

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$23.1K STN 486.8K

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$34.6 STN 730

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$72 STN 1,519

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.95 STN 780

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$29.09 STN 614

Cinema Ticket

$21.21 STN 448

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$18.93 STN 399

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$348 STN 7,349

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$227 STN 4,799

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$658 STN 13.9K

$458 STN 9,664

$859 STN 18.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$511 STN 10.8K

$341 STN 7,185

$681 STN 14.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$137 STN 2,885

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$282 STN 5,946

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.38

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

City tags:

🌍 Africa

Cost of Living in Sao Tome - Frequently Asked Questions

On balance, Sao Tome offers a relaxed lifestyle with approachable everyday costs, especially for local services and casual dining. Imported goods and resort-area prices can push numbers higher, but street food, markets, and fresh seafood keep daily expenses comfortable. Utilities and internet are typically reliable, though apartment quality drives variation. Housing ranges from compact city flats to seaside rentals, with proximity to the capital influencing demand. For newcomers, a phased stay helps you sense neighborhood rhythms and budgeting needs. Cost of Living in Sao Tome, Sao Tome And Principe serves as a useful baseline for planning longer stays. Tip: Map out a month of typical expenses before signing a lease or committing to a longer stay.

Daily life centers on a mix of local markets, casual dining, and accessible transport. Housing options tend to be modest and straightforward; rentals are often found via word of mouth, local listings, or short-term stays that let you compare neighborhoods. Food is rich and affordable when you shop at markets or fish docks, with a balance between cooking at home and picking up meals. Local transport includes shared taxis and small buses, while walking works well in the compact core. To keep errands manageable, build a small routine around banks, pharmacies, and post offices. Sao Tome, Sao Tome And Principe living cost influences how you pace purchases and plan your week. Tip: Start with a couple of weeks in one district to gauge fit.

Quality of life in Sao Tome blends climate, pace, and community to shape a budgeting framework. Build a simple, flexible plan around housing, food, transport, and occasional experiences. Favor neighborhoods with access to markets, reliable internet, and walkable errands; consider hillside areas for cooler evenings and ocean views, or coastal districts for shorter commutes. Seasonality affects energy use and groceries; plan for wetter periods when movement can be slower and some goods are less predictable. Save by cooking at home, buying seasonal produce, and using local coworking spaces for affordable workdays. Tip: Set a monthly flexible reserve for unexpected repairs or travel opportunities.